geomancy

American  

[jee-uh-man-see] / ˈdʒi əˌmæn si /

noun

1. divination by geographic features or by figures or lines.

---

geomancy British  

/ ˈdʒiːəʊˌmænsɪ /

noun

1. prophecy from the pattern made when a handful of earth is cast down or dots are drawn at random and connected with lines

---

Other Word Forms

• geomancer noun
• geomantic adjective

Etymology

Origin of geomancy

1325–75; Middle English < Old French geomancie ≪ Late Greek geōmanteía. See geo-, -mancy

Example Sentences

Feng shui is a traditional Chinese geomancy practice that is used to determine which location would be most auspicious.

From Reuters • Sep. 27, 2023

Hence the treasures hidden in the earth could not be neglected, when they had given up the follies of geomancy and saw foreigners prospecting and applying for concessions to work mines.

From The Awakening of China by Martin, W. A. P. (William Alexander Parsons)

Pertaining to geomancy, the art of divining future events by means of signs connected with the earth.

From Palamon and Arcite by Dryden, John

This Marzavan, among other studies, had from his youth been much addicted to judicial astrology, geomancy, and the like secret arts, wherein he became exceedingly skilful.

From Fairy Tales from the Arabian Nights by Dixon, E.

Science, rescued from the hands of astrology, geomancy, alchemy, began her real life with the Renaissance.

From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 07 by Johnson, Rossiter